WEBVTT
00:00:23.790 --> 00:00:25.157
HI, I'M HUELL HOWSER.
00:00:25.225 --> 00:00:27.693
RIGHT NOW,
WE'RE UP HERE IN GOLD COUNTRY,
00:00:27.761 --> 00:00:31.263
AND I'M DOING A LITTLE BIT
OF WATERING WITH MY GARDEN HOSE.
00:00:31.331 --> 00:00:34.233
NOW, THIS IS AN EXAMPLE
OF WATER UNDER PRESSURE.
00:00:34.300 --> 00:00:37.903
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS
PARTICULAR EPISODE IS ALL ABOUT.
00:00:37.971 --> 00:00:39.838
WE'RE GONNA VISIT TWO PLACES
00:00:39.906 --> 00:00:42.608
HERE IN THE NORTHERN PART
OF OUR STATE
00:00:42.676 --> 00:00:43.976
AND SEE FIRSTHAND
00:00:44.044 --> 00:00:47.046
TWO EXTREME EXAMPLES
OF WATER UNDER PRESSURE.
00:00:47.113 --> 00:00:48.747
I MEAN, THIS IS NOTHING.
00:00:48.815 --> 00:00:51.650
SO IF YOU'RE CURIOUS
AS TO WHERE WE'RE GONNA GO
00:00:51.718 --> 00:00:53.819
AND EXACTLY
WHAT WE'RE GONNA SEE,
00:00:53.887 --> 00:00:56.188
AS ALWAYS,
YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN US.
00:00:56.256 --> 00:00:59.058
YOU GOT TO PUT ON YOUR GALOSHES,
YOUR RAINCOAT,
00:00:59.125 --> 00:01:02.428
AND PUT UP YOUR UMBRELLA,
BECAUSE IT'S GONNA BE A WET ONE,
00:01:02.495 --> 00:01:05.831
AS WE CONTINUE OUR SEARCH
TOGETHER FOR CALIFORNIA'S GOLD.
00:01:05.899 --> 00:01:09.201
[ "CALIFORNIA HERE I COME"
PLAYS ]
00:01:32.692 --> 00:01:35.594
WELL, LOOKING
FOR WATER UNDER PRESSURE,
00:01:35.662 --> 00:01:37.196
OUR FIRST DESTINATION
00:01:37.263 --> 00:01:39.965
WAS DEFINITELY
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.
00:01:40.033 --> 00:01:44.036
WE WERE HEADING FOR MALAKOFF
DIGGINS STATE HISTORIC PARK,
00:01:44.104 --> 00:01:46.939
ABOUT 90 MILES NORTHEAST
OF SACRAMENTO
00:01:47.007 --> 00:01:48.741
IN THE SIERRA FOOTHILLS.
00:01:48.808 --> 00:01:52.344
AND ONCE WE GOT THERE,
WE QUICKLY DISCOVERED
00:01:52.412 --> 00:01:56.448
THAT THIS WAS A PLACE RICH
IN CALIFORNIA MINING HISTORY.
00:01:56.516 --> 00:01:57.750
GOOD MORNING.
00:01:57.817 --> 00:01:59.051
HELLO, THERE.
00:01:59.119 --> 00:02:01.687
WELCOME TO MALAKOFF DIGGINS
STATE HISTORIC PARK.
00:02:01.755 --> 00:02:04.490
THIS PLACE IS OUT
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE,
00:02:04.557 --> 00:02:06.025
AND THERE'S NOBODY HERE.
00:02:06.092 --> 00:02:08.127
WELL, IT SURE DOES
LOOK LIKE THAT TODAY.
00:02:08.194 --> 00:02:11.196
OF COURSE, IT WAS QUITE A BIT
DIFFERENT BACK IN THE GOLD RUSH.
00:02:11.264 --> 00:02:13.766
THIS AREA WAS COVERED
WITH PEOPLE LOOKING FOR GOLD.
00:02:13.833 --> 00:02:17.269
WHAT IS THE STORY
ON MALAKOFF DIGGINS?
00:02:17.337 --> 00:02:19.071
WHAT IS THIS PLACE?
00:02:19.139 --> 00:02:21.807
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE
OF NORTH BLOOMFIELD.
00:02:21.875 --> 00:02:24.376
THE TOWN OF NORTH BLOOMFIELD,
THAT AT ONE TIME,
00:02:24.444 --> 00:02:26.045
WHEN THE MINING WAS GOING,
00:02:26.112 --> 00:02:27.913
WE HAD ABOUT 1,500 PEOPLE
LIVING HERE IN TOWN.
00:02:27.981 --> 00:02:30.249
BASICALLY, THEY WERE OPERATING
A HYDRAULIC MINE,
00:02:30.316 --> 00:02:33.118
WHICH IS ABOUT A MILE
FROM HERE, DOWN THE ROAD.
00:02:33.186 --> 00:02:36.021
SO, THE QUESTION IS --
WHAT IS A HYDRAULIC MINE?
00:02:36.089 --> 00:02:37.756
HYDRAULIC MINING IS A PROCESS
00:02:37.824 --> 00:02:40.559
WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO MOVE
LOTS OF GRAVEL --
00:02:40.627 --> 00:02:43.562
SEPARATE THE GOLD BY USING
HIGH-PRESSURED NOZZLES.
00:02:43.630 --> 00:02:45.464
IF WE WALK
DOWN THE STREET HERE,
00:02:45.532 --> 00:02:48.100
WE CAN TAKE A LOOK
AT ONE OF THESE NOZZLES.
00:02:48.168 --> 00:02:50.769
NOW, WHEN YOU SAY --
OH, OKAY.
00:02:50.837 --> 00:02:52.705
THEY USED THIS TO MINE?
00:02:52.772 --> 00:02:54.707
THIS IS THE HENDY GIANT.
00:02:54.774 --> 00:02:56.041
THE WHAT?
00:02:56.109 --> 00:02:58.410
THEY CALLED IT
THE HENDY GIANT.
00:02:58.478 --> 00:03:02.281
IT WAS FROM THE HENDY IRONWORKS
IN SAN FRANCISCO.
00:03:02.349 --> 00:03:03.682
THE HENDY GIANT.
00:03:03.750 --> 00:03:06.819
AND HOW WOULD THIS WORK?
00:03:06.886 --> 00:03:10.055
YOU CAN SEE THIS NOZZLE WAS
HOOKED UP TO LARGE WATER PIPES.
00:03:10.123 --> 00:03:12.291
WE CAN GO AROUND
THE OTHER SIDE THERE.
00:03:12.359 --> 00:03:13.592
YEAH, LET'S GO AROUND.
00:03:13.660 --> 00:03:15.260
THIS THING IS HUGE.
00:03:15.328 --> 00:03:18.163
THIS WAS THE BUSINESS END
OF THE MACHINE HERE.
00:03:18.231 --> 00:03:21.834
WATER CAME THROUGH THESE PIPES,
THROUGH THIS NOZZLE --
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A MILLION GALLONS AN HOUR,
ACTUALLY,
00:03:24.504 --> 00:03:26.105
IF YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT,
00:03:26.172 --> 00:03:28.607
SHOOTING OVER A QUARTER
OF A MILE.
00:03:28.675 --> 00:03:30.976
WHEN THAT PRESSURE
FROM THAT WATER
00:03:31.044 --> 00:03:32.578
HIT ONE OF THE CLIFFS,
00:03:32.645 --> 00:03:34.646
THERE WASN'T ANYTHING
TO STAND IN ITS WAY.
00:03:34.714 --> 00:03:37.282
IT WOULD JUST BLAST APART ROCKS
AND ALL THE SEDIMENT
00:03:37.350 --> 00:03:39.451
FROM THE GRAVELS
THAT WERE PLACED IN HERE
00:03:39.519 --> 00:03:40.886
ABOUT 50 MILLION YEARS AGO.
00:03:40.954 --> 00:03:44.223
SO, HOW DID THEY COME UP
WITH THE IDEA OF DOING THIS?
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IS THIS PART OF THE STATE
00:03:45.925 --> 00:03:48.627
PARTICULARLY GOOD
FOR THAT KIND OF MINING,
00:03:48.695 --> 00:03:51.697
BECAUSE IT WAS SOFT SOIL
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
00:03:51.765 --> 00:03:53.365
WELL, THIS AREA STARTED --
00:03:53.433 --> 00:03:56.335
THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT CAME
TO NORTH BLOOMFIELD
00:03:56.403 --> 00:03:57.803
WERE IN ABOUT 1851.
00:03:57.871 --> 00:04:00.339
IN THOSE DAYS, PEOPLE
WERE STILL PANNING FOR GOLD.
00:04:00.407 --> 00:04:03.342
THEY CAME TO OUR CREEK HERE
BEFORE ANYBODY ELSE WAS HERE.
00:04:03.410 --> 00:04:04.977
THEY PANNED FOR GOLD,
00:04:05.045 --> 00:04:06.912
AND THEY WEREN'T ABLE
TO GET ALL THAT MUCH.
00:04:06.980 --> 00:04:09.615
AND SO OUR CREEK --
THEY CALLED IT "HUMBUG CREEK."
00:04:09.683 --> 00:04:11.750
BUT THEN THEY DEVELOPED
THESE NOZZLES
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TO WHERE THEY COULD MOVE
MORE AND MORE SOIL.
00:04:14.320 --> 00:04:16.622
THE IDEA IS, THE MORE SOIL
YOU COULD MOVE,
00:04:16.690 --> 00:04:18.691
THE MORE CHANCE OF GOLD
YOU WOULD FIND.
00:04:18.758 --> 00:04:22.227
THE GRAVELS -- ALL THE SOIL
THAT WE'RE STANDING ON NOW
00:04:22.295 --> 00:04:24.163
WAS PLACED IN HERE BY A RIVER
00:04:24.230 --> 00:04:27.299
THAT FLOWED THROUGH HERE
ABOUT 50 MILLION YEARS AGO,
00:04:27.367 --> 00:04:29.735
BACK WHEN THE DINOSAURS
WERE HERE.
00:04:29.803 --> 00:04:33.405
THAT BROUGHT A LOT OF GOLD
DEPOSITED IN A GRAVEL CHANNEL
00:04:33.473 --> 00:04:35.874
THAT WAS OVER 300
OR 400 FEET TALL.
00:04:35.942 --> 00:04:39.278
SO THEIR IDEA WAS THAT THEY
WERE JUST GONNA HOSE IT DOWN.
00:04:39.346 --> 00:04:40.813
RIGHT, THEY HOSED IT DOWN.
00:04:40.880 --> 00:04:42.214
HOW WOULD THEY DO THAT?
00:04:42.282 --> 00:04:45.184
WHERE WOULD THE GUY STAND
WHO WAS DOING THE HOSING?
00:04:45.251 --> 00:04:46.785
BECAUSE THIS THING IS HUGE.
00:04:46.853 --> 00:04:50.122
THIS PIECE OF WOOD HERE
AND THE ROCKS IN THE BACK
00:04:50.190 --> 00:04:52.758
ARE THE COUNTERWEIGHT
FOR THIS NOZZLE
00:04:52.826 --> 00:04:54.426
BECAUSE IT WAS SO HEAVY.
00:04:54.494 --> 00:04:57.363
WITH THE COUNTERWEIGHT
PERFECTLY BALANCED,
00:04:57.430 --> 00:05:00.666
IT COULD ROTATE
ON THIS ONE PIVOT JOINT HERE --
00:05:00.734 --> 00:05:03.302
THIS WAS THE PIN
FOR THE PIVOT JOINT.
00:05:03.370 --> 00:05:05.204
THIS IS A BALL JOINT IN HERE
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WHERE THIS NOZZLE
COULD MOVE UP AND DOWN.
00:05:08.141 --> 00:05:11.043
AND SO THE PERSON
WOULD STAND UP HERE,
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HOLDING A ROD CONNECTED
TO THE FRONT OF THE NOZZLE.
00:05:14.848 --> 00:05:18.150
AND BY JUST TURNING THE NOZZLE
A LITTLE BIT ONE WAY OR THAT,
00:05:18.218 --> 00:05:21.120
THE FORCE OF THE WATER
WOULD FORCE THE NOZZLE AROUND
00:05:21.187 --> 00:05:22.721
BECAUSE IT WAS SO BALANCED.
00:05:22.789 --> 00:05:25.724
THERE MUST HAVE BEEN
A HECK OF A LOT OF PRESSURE
00:05:25.792 --> 00:05:26.825
COMING OUT OF THAT.
00:05:26.893 --> 00:05:28.627
WHEN THE MINE WAS OPERATING,
00:05:28.695 --> 00:05:31.630
THEY HAD EIGHT OF THESE
OPERATING AT ONE TIME.
00:05:31.698 --> 00:05:34.833
THE ROAR FROM THE NOISE
WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AMAZING
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WHEN YOU'RE WALKING DOWN
INTO THE PIT.
00:05:37.537 --> 00:05:40.072
WHAT ABOUT THE FORCE
AT WHICH IT HIT?
00:05:40.140 --> 00:05:41.974
THE PRESSURE
THAT THIS OPERATED ON
00:05:42.042 --> 00:05:44.376
WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 200 POUNDS
PER SQUARE INCH,
00:05:44.444 --> 00:05:46.712
SO YOU CAN IMAGINE
THE STREAM OF WATER LIKE THAT
00:05:46.780 --> 00:05:48.080
HITTING THE SIDE OF A CLIFF.
00:05:48.148 --> 00:05:50.015
EVERYTHING
WOULD BE BLASTED APART,
00:05:50.083 --> 00:05:52.785
AND ALL THAT MUD WOULD FLOW DOWN
INTO SLUICE BOXES.
00:05:52.852 --> 00:05:54.186
THEY HAD MILES
OF SLUICE BOXES.
00:05:54.254 --> 00:05:56.121
WHAT'S A SLUICE BOX?
00:05:56.189 --> 00:06:00.659
A SLUICE BOX IS A TROUGH
WITH BARS OR RIFFLES IN IT.
00:06:00.727 --> 00:06:03.228
AS THE WATER FLOWED
OVER ALL THE MUD,
00:06:03.296 --> 00:06:07.066
ALL THE GOLD, WHICH IS HEAVIER,
WOULD SETTLE IN THE BOTTOM.
00:06:07.133 --> 00:06:08.801
THESE THINGS ARE HUGE.
00:06:08.868 --> 00:06:12.237
THIS THING MAKES A FIRE HOSE
LOOK SMALL-TIME.
00:06:12.305 --> 00:06:13.806
WELL, LIKE I SAID,
00:06:13.873 --> 00:06:17.509
A MILLION GALLONS OF WATER
AN HOUR WAS QUITE A BIT.
00:06:17.577 --> 00:06:18.877
WE'RE IN FOR A TREAT TODAY.
00:06:18.945 --> 00:06:20.245
WE'RE GONNA FIRE OFF
00:06:20.313 --> 00:06:22.047
ONE OF OUR DEMONSTRATION
MONITORS TODAY.
00:06:22.115 --> 00:06:24.717
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME
WE'VE DONE IT IN SEVERAL YEARS.
00:06:24.784 --> 00:06:27.252
BUT BECAUSE OF THE CROWD
AND YOU FOLKS SHOWING UP,
00:06:27.320 --> 00:06:29.288
WE THOUGHT MAYBE
WE'D GIVE YOU A CHANCE
00:06:29.356 --> 00:06:30.656
TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE.
00:06:30.724 --> 00:06:33.225
NOW, WHEN YOU SAY
A DEMONSTRATION MONITOR,
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THIS ONE ISN'T NEARLY AS BIG
00:06:34.961 --> 00:06:37.363
AS THE ONES
THAT ACTUALLY OPERATED HERE.
00:06:37.430 --> 00:06:39.865
NO, THIS ONE IS PROBABLY
A 3-INCH NOZZLE.
00:06:39.933 --> 00:06:42.267
THE LARGER ONES
THAT WE HAD WERE 10-INCH.
00:06:42.335 --> 00:06:45.037
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WATER
TO POWER ONE OF THOSE.
00:06:45.105 --> 00:06:46.472
SO THIS IS A BABY NOZZLE.
00:06:46.539 --> 00:06:48.807
WELL, LET'S TURN IT ON
AND SEE --
00:06:48.875 --> 00:06:50.876
IS EVERYBODY READY
FOR THIS?
00:06:50.944 --> 00:06:53.278
I DON'T KNOW
WHAT WE'RE GONNA SEE,
00:06:53.346 --> 00:06:54.680
BUT HERE HE GOES.
00:06:54.748 --> 00:06:57.316
HERE COMES A CAR.
SOMEBODY CAN STOP THEM.
00:06:57.384 --> 00:06:59.385
I THINK
WE'D BETTER STOP THE CAR.
00:06:59.452 --> 00:07:01.754
OKAY, THEY'RE TURNING.
HERE WE GO.
00:07:01.821 --> 00:07:03.889
WE'D LIKE TO GET THE WATER ON
SORT OF SLOW
00:07:03.957 --> 00:07:05.491
SO WE DON'T BREAK OUR PIPES.
00:07:05.558 --> 00:07:08.527
OH, WOW.
00:07:11.731 --> 00:07:12.664
OKAY.
00:07:12.732 --> 00:07:15.000
IT'S KIND OF LEAKY.
00:07:15.068 --> 00:07:16.769
WHOA!
00:07:18.972 --> 00:07:22.141
SO THERE WE HAVE
A HYDRAULIC MONITOR.
00:07:22.208 --> 00:07:24.476
NOW, IF WE WERE GOLDMINERS,
00:07:24.544 --> 00:07:27.446
WE'D BE COLLECTING
ALL THAT WATER
00:07:27.514 --> 00:07:30.516
AND SEPARATING THE GOLD
OUT OF IT.
00:07:30.583 --> 00:07:31.984
THAT IS AMAZING.
00:07:32.052 --> 00:07:35.521
AND THIS IS JUST LIKE
NOT NEARLY AS STRONG --
00:07:35.588 --> 00:07:37.289
NOT AT ALL.
00:07:37.357 --> 00:07:40.459
THE LARGER MONITORS SHOT
OVER A QUARTER OF A MILE.
00:07:40.527 --> 00:07:41.727
WOW.
00:07:41.795 --> 00:07:43.862
OKAY. WELL,
I THINK THAT'S ENOUGH.
00:07:43.930 --> 00:07:47.499
I THINK YOU NEED TO FIX
THESE LEAKS DOWN HERE.
00:07:47.567 --> 00:07:49.068
[ Laughing ] RIGHT.
00:07:49.135 --> 00:07:50.636
GOOD DEMONSTRATION.
00:07:50.704 --> 00:07:52.771
Howser:
WELL, THAT WAS INTERESTING
00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:54.873
TO SEE HOW THE OLD NOZZLES
WORKED,
00:07:54.941 --> 00:07:56.709
BUT THERE WAS A LOT MORE TO SEE.
00:07:56.776 --> 00:08:00.379
SO NEXT KEN TOOK US
DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT A MILE
00:08:00.447 --> 00:08:03.782
FOR A FIRSTHAND LOOK
AT THE ORIGINAL SITE,
00:08:03.850 --> 00:08:07.386
WHERE THE HYDRAULIC MINING
WAS ACTUALLY DONE.
00:08:07.454 --> 00:08:09.855
HUELL, THIS'LL SHOW YOU
A PART OF THE PARK
00:08:09.923 --> 00:08:12.725
WHERE THE MAIN INTEREST
OF THE HYDRAULIC MINING IS.
00:08:12.792 --> 00:08:14.059
THIS IS THE DIGGINGS.
00:08:14.127 --> 00:08:16.495
WE'RE GONNA WALK DOWN HERE
TO THE OVERLOOK.
00:08:16.563 --> 00:08:17.763
WOW.
00:08:17.831 --> 00:08:20.332
NOW, THIS LOOKS LIKE
WE'RE STANDING --
00:08:20.400 --> 00:08:23.535
LOOKING OUT OVER GRAND CANYON
OR SOMETHING.
00:08:23.603 --> 00:08:26.438
SOME PEOPLE HAVE MADE
THAT COMPARISON.
00:08:26.506 --> 00:08:30.642
NOW, YOU TRY TO IMAGINE THE WAY
THE LANDSCAPE USED TO LOOK.
00:08:30.710 --> 00:08:32.177
IT WAS A SHALLOW VALLEY
00:08:32.245 --> 00:08:35.314
WITH A SMALL CREEK RUNNING
DOWN THE LENGTH OF IT.
00:08:35.382 --> 00:08:38.417
THE PEOPLE, AFTER THEY STARTED
HYDRAULIC MINING,
00:08:38.485 --> 00:08:41.687
REMOVED 41 MILLION CUBIC YARDS
OF SOIL OUT OF HERE.
00:08:41.755 --> 00:08:44.623
WHERE YOU SEE THE BASE
OF THE DIGGINGS NOW --
00:08:44.691 --> 00:08:47.726
TRY TO IMAGINE IT
WITHOUT ANY VEGETATION AT ALL,
00:08:47.794 --> 00:08:49.728
BECAUSE
THIS WAS THE MINING PIT.
00:08:49.796 --> 00:08:52.931
WHERE THE BASE IS NOW --
WHEN THEY WERE MINING --
00:08:52.999 --> 00:08:55.000
WAS ACTUALLY 120 FEET LOWER
THAN THAT.
00:08:55.068 --> 00:08:56.335
REALLY?
00:08:56.403 --> 00:08:58.437
THIS HAS FILLED IN
OVER THE LAST 100 YEARS
00:08:58.505 --> 00:09:00.739
WITH SEDIMENT
FROM THE SIDES OF THE CANYON.
00:09:00.807 --> 00:09:02.641
SO IT WENT
ANOTHER 120 FEET DOWN?
00:09:02.709 --> 00:09:04.343
DOWN TO BEDROCK,
JUST ABOUT.
00:09:04.411 --> 00:09:06.712
NOW, THIS CHANNEL --
WE WERE TALKING BEFORE
00:09:06.780 --> 00:09:09.982
ABOUT THE GRAVELS FROM THIS OLD
RIVER THAT FLOWED THROUGH HERE.
00:09:10.050 --> 00:09:11.650
THIS WAS THE OLD RIVER CHANNEL.
00:09:11.718 --> 00:09:12.985
THESE ARE ALL GRAVELS
00:09:13.053 --> 00:09:15.154
THAT WERE PLACED IN HERE
BY THE OLD RIVER.
00:09:15.221 --> 00:09:16.321
50 MILLION YEARS AGO.
00:09:16.389 --> 00:09:17.623
50 MILLION YEARS AGO.
00:09:17.691 --> 00:09:20.659
SO REALLY WHAT THEY DID
WITH THOSE BIG MONITORS
00:09:20.727 --> 00:09:23.362
WAS JUST WORK
THIS WHOLE MOUNTAIN DOWN.
00:09:23.430 --> 00:09:26.298
SOME OF THE CLIFFS
WERE ABOUT 400 FEET TALL
00:09:26.366 --> 00:09:28.033
THAT THEY WERE WORKING ON.
00:09:28.101 --> 00:09:30.502
THAT'S WHEN ALL THE BOTTOM
WAS OUT.
00:09:30.570 --> 00:09:33.172
BUT I THINK
THE STRIKING DIFFERENCE IS
00:09:33.239 --> 00:09:36.308
NOW THERE'S A LOT OF VEGETATION
COMING BACK IN.
00:09:36.376 --> 00:09:37.509
IN THE OLD DAYS,
00:09:37.577 --> 00:09:40.079
IT WOULD HAVE JUST BEEN
TOTALLY BARE.
00:09:40.146 --> 00:09:42.548
THAT IS AN ABSOLUTELY
AMAZING SHOT.
00:09:42.615 --> 00:09:44.616
THAT'S WHY THEY STOPPED THIS.
00:09:44.684 --> 00:09:46.952
ALL THAT DIRT
WENT SOMEWHERE.
00:09:47.020 --> 00:09:50.356
SO ALL THE DIRT
THAT WAS BEING WASHED OFF THERE
00:09:50.423 --> 00:09:51.890
WAS GOING DOWNSTREAM
00:09:51.958 --> 00:09:55.060
AND CLOGGING UP RIVERS
ALL OVER CALIFORNIA.
00:09:55.128 --> 00:09:56.628
RIGHT.
00:09:56.696 --> 00:09:58.731
AT THE END OF THE DIGGINGS,
DOWN AT THE FAR END,
00:09:58.798 --> 00:10:00.632
WAS A SHAFT
THAT WAS SORT OF THE DRAIN.
00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:02.101
IT WENT DOWN INTO A TUNNEL
00:10:02.168 --> 00:10:04.236
THAT WENT A MILE AND A HALF
OUT TO THE YUBA RIVER.
00:10:04.304 --> 00:10:06.939
THAT WAS ALSO A SLUICE BOX
ALL THE WAY THROUGH THAT TUNNEL.
00:10:07.007 --> 00:10:09.842
THIS LOOKS LIKE
JUST GRAVEL PILED UP OVER HERE.
00:10:09.909 --> 00:10:12.411
THAT'S THE GRAVEL
THAT THEY WERE WORKING.
00:10:12.479 --> 00:10:14.246
THIS GRAVEL THAT WE SEE NOW
00:10:14.314 --> 00:10:17.383
IS THE STUFF
THAT THEY HADN'T WASHED OUT YET.
00:10:17.450 --> 00:10:21.220
THEY WERE PROBABLY WORKING
ON THESE CLIFFS ACROSS THE WAY.
00:10:21.287 --> 00:10:24.390
SO IF WE HAD BEEN STANDING HERE
100 YEARS AGO,
00:10:24.457 --> 00:10:27.159
WE WOULD'VE BEEN ABLE
TO LOOK DOWN HERE
00:10:27.227 --> 00:10:30.162
AND SEE THOSE HUGE MONITORS
SPOUTING WATER.
00:10:30.230 --> 00:10:31.663
AS WE WALKED DOWN HERE,
00:10:31.731 --> 00:10:33.999
THE FIRST THING
YOU PROBABLY WOULD'VE NOTICED --
00:10:34.067 --> 00:10:36.835
THE NOISE OF ALL THAT WATER
RUSHING THROUGH THE PIPES
00:10:36.903 --> 00:10:39.705
AND OUT THE NOZZLES,
BANGING AGAINST THE CLIFF.
00:10:39.773 --> 00:10:42.641
AND ALL THE MUD, EVERYTHING,
FLOWING OUT OF HERE.
00:10:42.709 --> 00:10:44.343
IT WOULD'VE BEEN INCREDIBLE.
00:10:44.411 --> 00:10:45.911
THESE DAYS, THE SAFETY PEOPLE
00:10:45.979 --> 00:10:48.113
WOULD'VE MADE EVERYBODY
WEAR EARPLUGS.
00:10:48.181 --> 00:10:50.482
AND HARD HATS
AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
00:10:50.550 --> 00:10:53.352
BOY, THIS IS SOMETHING --
LOOKING OUT HERE.
00:10:53.420 --> 00:10:56.255
SOME PEOPLE THINK OF IT
AS THE GRAND CANYON,
00:10:56.322 --> 00:10:58.290
SOME PEOPLE SEE IT
AS BEAUTIFUL,
00:10:58.358 --> 00:11:00.893
SOME PEOPLE SEE IT
AS A DISASTER AREA.
00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:04.563
WELL, BY TODAY'S STANDARDS --
BY ANYBODY'S STANDARDS --
00:11:04.631 --> 00:11:06.865
IT WAS
AN ECOLOGICAL DISASTER.
00:11:06.933 --> 00:11:10.336
IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST
ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATIONS
00:11:10.403 --> 00:11:12.304
TO STOP SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
00:11:12.372 --> 00:11:15.974
IT WAS BASICALLY THE FARMERS
AGAINST THE GOLDMINERS.
00:11:16.042 --> 00:11:18.911
SO THE FARMERS GOT
THE LEGISLATION PASSED
00:11:18.978 --> 00:11:22.581
TO STOP THIS BECAUSE IT WAS
CLOGGING UP THEIR RIVERS.
00:11:22.649 --> 00:11:24.550
AND COVERING
THEIR FARM FIELDS.
00:11:24.617 --> 00:11:27.619
IF THEY HADN'T GOTTEN THAT
LEGISLATION PASSED IN 1884
00:11:27.687 --> 00:11:28.821
AND STOPPED THIS,
00:11:28.888 --> 00:11:30.823
WOULD THEY HAVE JUST KEPT
ON GOING
00:11:30.890 --> 00:11:32.858
AND TAKEN
THAT WHOLE THING DOWN?
00:11:32.926 --> 00:11:35.627
IF HYDRAULIC MINING
WAS STILL OPERATING,
00:11:35.695 --> 00:11:38.997
THIS WHOLE RIVER CHANNEL
WOULD HAVE BEEN EXCAVATED.
00:11:39.065 --> 00:11:40.432
ALL THE WAY UP THERE.
00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:43.535
AND GOLD WOULD'VE BEEN
THE PRIMARY MOTIVATION.
00:11:43.603 --> 00:11:46.805
HUELL, NOW WE'RE DOWN
IN THE BOTTOM OF THE DIGGINGS,
00:11:46.873 --> 00:11:50.109
OR AT LEAST WHAT ARE THE BOTTOM
OF THE DIGGINGS NOW.
00:11:50.176 --> 00:11:53.178
THIS IS WHERE ALL THE ACTIVITY
WAS TAKING PLACE.
00:11:53.246 --> 00:11:55.914
LOOK HOW --
HOW FAR UP THIS IS.
00:11:55.982 --> 00:11:59.251
YEAH, AGAIN, THIS IS JUST
A SHORT CLIFF,
00:11:59.319 --> 00:12:02.821
BECAUSE WE SHOULD BE
ANOTHER 120 FEET DOWN.
00:12:02.889 --> 00:12:04.723
WHEN YOU LOOK OUT HERE,
00:12:04.791 --> 00:12:08.627
THIS IS AN AMAZING HOLE
THAT THEY DUG DOWN HERE.
00:12:08.695 --> 00:12:12.531
TRY TO IMAGINE A BIG WATER
NOZZLE SHOOTING WATER
00:12:12.599 --> 00:12:17.036
PROBABLY FROM ABOUT THIS
DISTANCE AND HITTING THAT CLIFF.
00:12:17.103 --> 00:12:19.605
YOU MEAN THEY WOULD'VE HAD
THE NOZZLE HERE
00:12:19.673 --> 00:12:21.206
TO CLEAR OFF THAT FAR AWAY?
00:12:21.274 --> 00:12:23.842
RIGHT, THE NOZZLE SHOT
A QUARTER OF A MILE.
00:12:23.910 --> 00:12:25.544
THE WAY THEY WOULD WORK IT IS
00:12:25.612 --> 00:12:27.946
THEY WOULD SORT OF UNDERCUT
THAT CLIFF.
00:12:28.014 --> 00:12:30.215
THEY WOULD HAVE GUYS
ON THE VERY TOP
00:12:30.283 --> 00:12:33.285
CUTTING BACK THOSE TREES
TO GET THEM OUT OF THE WAY.
00:12:33.353 --> 00:12:34.653
THEY WOULD UNDERCUT,
00:12:34.721 --> 00:12:37.089
AND THEN A WHOLE SECTION OF LAND
WOULD FALL DOWN.
00:12:37.157 --> 00:12:39.625
AND THEN WITH THE WATER
TURNING THAT INTO MUD,
00:12:39.693 --> 00:12:42.461
ALL THAT WOULD FLOW DOWN
INTO THIS TUNNEL, BASICALLY,
00:12:42.529 --> 00:12:44.396
AND THEN OUT
THROUGH THE SLUICES.
00:12:44.464 --> 00:12:46.532
AND THE GOLD WOULD BE SEPARATED
IN THERE.
00:12:46.599 --> 00:12:49.001
AND LARGE ROCKS THAT WOULD GO
INTO THE SLUICE --
00:12:49.069 --> 00:12:50.536
BY THE TIME THEY ENDED UP
00:12:50.603 --> 00:12:52.771
AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL,
A MILE AND A HALF DOWN,
00:12:52.839 --> 00:12:55.274
THEY'D BE GROUND DOWN
TO BASICALLY SMALL PEBBLES.
00:12:55.342 --> 00:12:58.444
WERE PEOPLE EVER KILLED
IN THIS OPERATION?
00:12:58.511 --> 00:13:00.145
WELL, YOU CAN IMAGINE.
00:13:00.213 --> 00:13:03.015
WE HAVE STORIES
OF THIS WHOLE AREA --
00:13:03.083 --> 00:13:05.117
FULL OF MUD AND WATER FLYING.
00:13:05.185 --> 00:13:07.653
AND WHEN ONE OF THOSE CLIFFS
GAVE WAY,
00:13:07.721 --> 00:13:10.289
SOMETIMES THERE WAS
SO MUCH AIR PRESSURE
00:13:10.357 --> 00:13:12.024
FROM ALL THAT DIRT DROPPING
00:13:12.092 --> 00:13:14.827
THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE BLASTED
OUT OF THEIR BOOTS
00:13:14.894 --> 00:13:16.295
IF THEY WERE TOO CLOSE.
00:13:16.363 --> 00:13:18.764
OR CAVE-INS --
COVERING SOMEBODY WITH MUD.
00:13:18.832 --> 00:13:20.366
AND THEN STORIES
00:13:20.433 --> 00:13:22.568
WHERE MIRACULOUSLY THE MONITOR
WASHED BY THEM,
00:13:22.635 --> 00:13:25.070
AND THEY WOULD BE UNCOVERED
AND BE ALIVE.
00:13:25.138 --> 00:13:27.072
A LOT OF STORIES LIKE THAT.
00:13:27.140 --> 00:13:30.743
WE HAVE TRAVELED TO A LOT
OF PLACES IN CALIFORNIA.
00:13:30.810 --> 00:13:32.044
THIS, TO ME,
00:13:32.112 --> 00:13:35.347
IS ONE OF THE MORE BIZARRE,
INTERESTING CHAPTERS
00:13:35.415 --> 00:13:37.082
IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.
00:13:37.150 --> 00:13:38.584
A LOT OF HISTORY HERE,
00:13:38.651 --> 00:13:41.253
AND NOT THAT MANY PEOPLE
KNOW ABOUT IT,
00:13:41.321 --> 00:13:43.122
LIKE YOU WERE SAYING BEFORE.
00:13:43.189 --> 00:13:45.791
IT'S A FASCINATING PLACE
TO COME VISIT,
00:13:45.859 --> 00:13:49.094
AND WE HOPE THAT MORE PEOPLE
DO MAKE IT OUT HERE.
00:13:54.834 --> 00:13:56.535
Howser: OUR NEXT DESTINATION
00:13:56.603 --> 00:13:58.804
IN SEARCH
OF WATER UNDER PRESSURE
00:13:58.872 --> 00:14:01.874
WAS ABOUT 2 MILES NORTH
OF THE TOWN OF CALISTOGA
00:14:01.941 --> 00:14:03.509
IN BEAUTIFUL NAPA VALLEY.
00:14:03.576 --> 00:14:05.177
WE WERE THERE
00:14:05.245 --> 00:14:08.147
IN SEARCH OF THE OLD FAITHFUL
GEYSER OF CALIFORNIA.
00:14:08.214 --> 00:14:11.483
AND WHEN WE PULLED IN,
DROVE THROUGH THE GATES,
00:14:11.551 --> 00:14:13.218
WE COULD TELL RIGHT AWAY
00:14:13.286 --> 00:14:16.955
THE PLACE HAD KIND OF
A DOWN-HOME, RELAXED FEEL TO IT.
00:14:17.023 --> 00:14:18.323
GOOD MORNING.
00:14:18.391 --> 00:14:19.825
HI, I'M HUELL HOWSER.
00:14:19.893 --> 00:14:21.226
I'M OLGA KOLBEK.
00:14:21.294 --> 00:14:22.394
NICE TO MEET YOU.
00:14:22.462 --> 00:14:24.296
I'VE BEEN TALKING TO YOU
ON THE PHONE.
00:14:24.364 --> 00:14:26.465
WONDERFUL. I'M SO GLAD
THAT YOU'RE HERE.
00:14:26.533 --> 00:14:28.267
WE'RE HERE TO SEE THE GEYSER.
00:14:28.335 --> 00:14:29.535
I WANT TO GIVE YOU
00:14:29.602 --> 00:14:31.770
A COMPLIMENTARY CARD
ON THE GEYSER.
00:14:31.838 --> 00:14:33.339
OH, GOOD. OKAY.
00:14:33.406 --> 00:14:36.408
LET'S GO SEE IT, BECAUSE
I HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF IT.
00:14:36.476 --> 00:14:39.678
IT'S GONNA ERUPT AGAIN
IN APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES.
00:14:39.746 --> 00:14:41.213
SO WE'RE RIGHT ON TIME.
00:14:41.281 --> 00:14:42.815
RIGHT.
00:14:42.882 --> 00:14:45.751
WOULD YOU FIRST LIKE
TO WALK OUT TO THE GEYSER,
00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:49.488
OR DO YOU WANT TO SEE
SOME OF THE THINGS --
00:14:49.556 --> 00:14:53.592
WELL, I'D LIKE TO SEE
WHERE THE GEYSER IS FIRST,
00:14:53.660 --> 00:14:56.895
BECAUSE THAT'S KIND OF
THE MAIN SHOW.
00:14:56.963 --> 00:14:58.364
NOW, THIS GEYSER --
00:14:58.431 --> 00:15:01.567
I CAN TRACE IT BACK
APPROXIMATELY 100 YEARS.
00:15:01.634 --> 00:15:04.136
TO MERIT THE NAME
"OLD FAITHFUL,"
00:15:04.204 --> 00:15:07.139
IT HAS TO HAVE
A REGULAR PATTERN OF INTERVAL.
00:15:07.207 --> 00:15:10.042
THIS GEYSER ERUPTS,
ON THE YEARLY AVERAGE,
00:15:10.110 --> 00:15:11.643
ABOUT EVERY 40 MINUTES.
00:15:11.711 --> 00:15:12.911
EVERY 40 MINUTES.
00:15:12.979 --> 00:15:14.446
ON THE YEARLY AVERAGE.
00:15:14.514 --> 00:15:17.549
BUT IT DOES VARY
WITH THE BAROMETRIC PRESSURE,
00:15:17.617 --> 00:15:20.919
THE MOON, THE TIDES, AND
THE EARTH'S TECTONIC STRESSES.
00:15:20.987 --> 00:15:24.790
THERE ARE ONLY THREE OLD
FAITHFUL GEYSERS IN THE WORLD.
00:15:24.858 --> 00:15:27.159
ONE AT YELLOWSTONE
IN WYOMING,
00:15:27.227 --> 00:15:30.029
ALSO ONE IN NEW ZEALAND,
AND THIS ONE.
00:15:30.096 --> 00:15:33.499
THE ONE IN YELLOWSTONE,
I THOUGHT IT WOULD ERUPT
00:15:33.566 --> 00:15:35.934
APPROXIMATELY
EVERY 60 MINUTES,
00:15:36.002 --> 00:15:37.436
BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE.
00:15:37.504 --> 00:15:40.472
NO TRUE GEYSER
ERUPTS EVERY 60 MINUTES.
00:15:40.540 --> 00:15:42.374
IT'D BE TURNED ON BY MAN.
00:15:42.442 --> 00:15:44.443
SO THAT ONE ERUPTS ANYWHERES
00:15:44.511 --> 00:15:46.578
FROM 50 MINUTES
TO 2 HOURS APART.
00:15:46.646 --> 00:15:47.980
AHHHH.
00:15:48.048 --> 00:15:51.016
SEE, LOOK, WE'VE GOT A WHOLE
BUNCH OF PEOPLE OUT HERE.
00:15:51.084 --> 00:15:54.286
EVERYBODY'S -- YOU'RE WAITING
TO GET IT ON FILM, RIGHT?
00:15:54.354 --> 00:15:57.122
SEE, EVERYBODY TAPES
THESE THINGS, DON'T THEY?
00:15:57.190 --> 00:16:00.359
THE REASON
THAT WE HAVE A GEYSER HERE
00:16:00.427 --> 00:16:02.828
IS THAT YOU ARE STANDING
IN THE CENTER
00:16:02.896 --> 00:16:04.930
OF A DORMANT VOLCANIC CRATER.
00:16:04.998 --> 00:16:07.466
DID YOU KNOW
YOU WERE GONNA DO THAT TODAY?
00:16:07.534 --> 00:16:08.734
NO.
00:16:08.802 --> 00:16:11.270
YOU'RE STANDING IN THE MIDDLE
OF A VOLCANO.
00:16:11.338 --> 00:16:12.638
OH, GOOD HEAVENS.
00:16:12.706 --> 00:16:15.607
AND THIS ERUPTED MILLIONS
AND MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO,
00:16:15.675 --> 00:16:18.010
AND THAT'S WHY
WE HAVE A GEYSER HERE.
00:16:18.078 --> 00:16:20.145
NOW, WE HAVE
MOUNT SAINT HELENA,
00:16:20.213 --> 00:16:23.716
THE THIRD LOBE OVER WITH THE
LITTLE WHITE BUILDINGS ON TOP.
00:16:23.783 --> 00:16:25.217
LOTS OF PEOPLE THINK
00:16:25.285 --> 00:16:28.654
THE VOLCANO OCCURRED
ON THE TOP OF THAT MOUNTAIN.
00:16:28.722 --> 00:16:29.922
THAT'S NOT TRUE.
00:16:29.989 --> 00:16:32.257
YOU SEE THIS RIDGE
AROUND YOU?
00:16:32.325 --> 00:16:33.692
YOU SEE THAT RIDGE?
00:16:33.760 --> 00:16:36.362
LOOK BEHIND YOU.
IT'S ALSO BEHIND YOU.
00:16:36.429 --> 00:16:37.863
SEE WHERE THE FLAG IS?
00:16:37.931 --> 00:16:40.933
IT WASN'T A LITTLE VOLCANO.
IT WAS A BIG ONE.
00:16:41.001 --> 00:16:43.102
SO WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE
OF IT?
00:16:43.169 --> 00:16:44.937
YOU'RE IN THE CENTER OF IT.
00:16:45.005 --> 00:16:48.140
WE'VE HAD PEOPLE COME HERE
AND TEST THIS WATER,
00:16:48.208 --> 00:16:50.476
AND THEY FOUND
THAT THIS WATER'S
00:16:50.543 --> 00:16:54.113
THE HOTTEST PLACE AND THE
HOTTEST WATER IN NAPA COUNTY.
00:16:54.180 --> 00:16:55.614
CAN I TOUCH THIS NOW?
00:16:55.682 --> 00:16:57.216
WELL, THIS ISN'T HOT...
00:16:57.283 --> 00:16:58.751
THIS ISN'T HOT AT ALL?
00:16:58.818 --> 00:17:01.687
IF YOU WOULD PUT YOUR FINGER
OVER THERE
00:17:01.755 --> 00:17:04.256
WHERE IT COMES OUT
OF THE SOURCE,
00:17:04.324 --> 00:17:07.426
AND IT BLEW UP,
YOU'D BLOW YOUR FINGER OFF.
00:17:07.494 --> 00:17:10.229
THIS IS WARM WATER,
BUT IT'S NOT HOT.
00:17:10.296 --> 00:17:13.766
IT'S NOT HOT, BUT IT COMES
OUT OF THE GEYSER HOT.
00:17:13.833 --> 00:17:15.334
ARE WE SAFE STANDING HERE?
00:17:15.402 --> 00:17:17.803
HOW DO WE KNOW THIS THING
ISN'T GONNA --
00:17:17.871 --> 00:17:21.040
WELL, WHEN IT BLOWS, IT BLOWS
HOT WATER WHEN IT STARTS.
00:17:21.107 --> 00:17:23.942
BUT BY THE TIME IT GETS UP
IN THE TOP, IT'S COOL.
00:17:24.010 --> 00:17:27.479
IT'S JUST LIKE YOU'D THROW SOME
HOT WATER OUT OF AN AIRPLANE.
00:17:27.547 --> 00:17:30.315
BY THE TIME IT GETS DOWN
A LITTLE WAYS, IT'S --
00:17:30.383 --> 00:17:33.152
BUT IT ISN'T GONNA JUST SUDDENLY
GO PFFEEEWW!
00:17:33.219 --> 00:17:36.388
WELL, IT CAN, BUT YOU'RE NOT
GONNA GET BURNT FROM IT
00:17:36.456 --> 00:17:39.124
BECAUSE THE SPRAY
IS NOT GOING TO BURN YOU.
00:17:39.192 --> 00:17:41.927
LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE HISTORY
ABOUT THIS.
00:17:41.995 --> 00:17:45.097
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON --
HE LIVED AT THE FOOTHILLS
00:17:45.165 --> 00:17:48.100
OF ONE OF THE OLD,
ABANDONED MINES BACK IN 1880.
00:17:48.168 --> 00:17:51.170
HE SAID THERE WERE LOTS
OF GEYSERS HERE AT ONE TIME
00:17:51.237 --> 00:17:53.605
WHEN HE LOOKED DOWN
FROM THAT MOUNTAIN.
00:17:53.673 --> 00:17:54.640
AND THERE WERE.
00:17:54.708 --> 00:17:56.208
THERE WERE LOTS OF GEYSERS
00:17:56.276 --> 00:17:58.877
AND LOTS OF STEAM
COMING OUT OF THE GROUND.
00:17:58.945 --> 00:18:02.514
NOW, THE INDIANS USED TO COME
HERE, BUT NOT TO LIVE HERE.
00:18:02.582 --> 00:18:06.352
THEY CAME HERE AND THEY'D SEE
STEAM COMING OUT OF THE GROUND.
00:18:06.419 --> 00:18:08.754
THEY'D PUT BRANCHES
OVER THE STEAM,
00:18:08.822 --> 00:18:10.456
AND THEY GET INSIDE OF IT.
00:18:10.523 --> 00:18:13.926
THEY CALLED IT A SWEAT HOUSE.
WE CALL IT A SAUNA BATH.
00:18:13.993 --> 00:18:16.395
THEY WOULD TAKE
THEIR YOUNG WARRIORS
00:18:16.463 --> 00:18:18.931
AND TAKE THEM
INSIDE THIS SWEAT HOUSE
00:18:18.998 --> 00:18:21.767
AND TELL THEM
ALL ABOUT THEIR CULTURE,
00:18:21.835 --> 00:18:24.636
BECAUSE THEY HAD
NO WRITTEN LANGUAGE.
00:18:24.704 --> 00:18:28.607
SO THEY ALSO ENJOYED --
THEY HAD THE WILD ANIMALS HERE.
00:18:28.675 --> 00:18:32.077
THEY HAD PLENTY TO EAT.
THEY ENJOYED THE HERBS.
00:18:32.145 --> 00:18:35.781
AND THEY HAD ACORNS --
THEY CRUSHED AND MADE FLOUR.
00:18:35.849 --> 00:18:38.951
THEY LIVED AT THE FOOTHILLS
OF NAPA RIVER.
00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.552
THEY DID NOT LIVE HERE,
00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:43.122
BECAUSE THIS WAS SWAMP
AT THAT TIME.
00:18:43.189 --> 00:18:46.291
NOW, PEOPLE ASK ME TODAY --
I HAVE A GUEST BOOK
00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:50.095
THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HERE
50, 60, 70, AND 80 YEARS AGO --
00:18:50.163 --> 00:18:51.764
"WHERE ARE THE MUD POTS?
00:18:51.831 --> 00:18:55.000
WHERE'S THE HOT STEAM
COMING OUT OF THE GROUND?"
00:18:55.068 --> 00:18:57.603
I SAY,
"I'VE LIVED HERE 20 YEARS,
00:18:57.671 --> 00:19:01.640
AND I'VE NEVER SEEN ANY STEAM
COMING OUT OF THE GROUND."
00:19:01.708 --> 00:19:04.743
WE PUT UP THE GATE
THAT YOU CAME THROUGH,
00:19:04.811 --> 00:19:06.612
KIND OF A SPANISH GATE --
00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:08.147
WHOA! WAIT A MINUTE!
00:19:08.214 --> 00:19:11.250
OH, THERE!
LOOKS LIKE SHE'S GONNA BLOW!
00:19:11.317 --> 00:19:15.220
OKAY. BETTER ENJOY IT.
I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT LATER.
00:19:15.288 --> 00:19:17.690
WAIT A MINUTE, THIS IS --
OH!
00:19:17.757 --> 00:19:19.625
IT'S GONNA GET UP HIGHER.
00:19:19.693 --> 00:19:21.026
LOOK AT IT.
00:19:21.094 --> 00:19:23.128
THAT'S NOTHING YET.
00:19:23.196 --> 00:19:24.196
NOW IT STOPPED.
00:19:24.264 --> 00:19:25.564
THAT WAS JUST A BURP.
00:19:25.632 --> 00:19:27.966
[ LAUGHS ]
WHAT DO YOU MEAN, A BURP?
00:19:28.034 --> 00:19:29.668
THAT'S NOT A MAIN ERUPTION.
00:19:29.736 --> 00:19:31.136
TO GET A MAIN ERUPTION,
00:19:31.204 --> 00:19:34.073
IT HAS TO GO UP IN THE AIR
ABOUT 60 FEET HIGH,
00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:35.441
AS HIGH AS THAT TREE.
00:19:35.508 --> 00:19:38.711
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED
IN THE GEYSER,
00:19:38.778 --> 00:19:40.145
IN OLD FAITHFUL?
00:19:40.213 --> 00:19:43.615
HOW DID YOU DECIDE
TO BECOME A PART OF IT?
00:19:43.683 --> 00:19:45.517
WELL, I LIKE HOT WATER,
00:19:45.585 --> 00:19:48.687
AND I'VE BEEN IN HOT WATER
EVER SINCE.
00:19:48.755 --> 00:19:50.022
[ LAUGHING ]
00:19:50.090 --> 00:19:53.359
NO, I MEAN, THIS IS
A PRETTY BIG UNDERTAKING.
00:19:53.426 --> 00:19:54.760
YES, IT IS.
00:19:54.828 --> 00:19:57.096
WELL, ACTUALLY,
THE BANKS OWN IT.
00:19:57.163 --> 00:20:00.199
I'M A SOLE OWNER,
BUT THE BANKS OWN IT.
00:20:00.266 --> 00:20:03.302
I'LL HAVE IT PAID OFF
IN THE YEAR 2012.
00:20:03.370 --> 00:20:04.903
SO I GOTTA LIVE A LONG TIME.
00:20:04.971 --> 00:20:07.439
DO YOU HAVE A PRETTY GOOD
GROUP OF CUSTOMERS
00:20:07.507 --> 00:20:08.707
COMING THROUGH HERE?
00:20:08.775 --> 00:20:11.110
WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE
COME THROUGH HERE?
00:20:11.177 --> 00:20:13.879
A VERY HIGH-CLASS,
EDUCATED GROUP OF PEOPLE.
00:20:13.947 --> 00:20:17.583
PEOPLE, AS A RULE, THAT LIKE
CAVERNS DON'T LIKE GEYSERS.
00:20:17.650 --> 00:20:19.451
SO THEY'RE REAL NICE PEOPLE.
00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:22.287
DID YOU HEAR WHAT SHE SAID
ABOUT YOU ALL?
00:20:22.355 --> 00:20:25.324
SHE SAID SOME VERY NICE THINGS
ABOUT YOU ALL.
00:20:25.392 --> 00:20:26.525
VERY LOVELY...
00:20:26.593 --> 00:20:29.194
VERY HIGHLY EDUCATED
GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE.
00:20:29.262 --> 00:20:30.763
VERY LOVELY CHILDREN.
00:20:30.830 --> 00:20:33.666
THEY BRING THEIR CHILDREN HERE
TO GET EDUCATED.
00:20:33.733 --> 00:20:36.001
I HAD ONE YOUNG BOY
IN JUNIOR HIGH
00:20:36.069 --> 00:20:38.937
THAT WROTE A TERM PAPER
ON HOW GEYSERS REACT.
00:20:39.005 --> 00:20:41.640
I THINK HE GOT SECOND
IN THE SCIENCE SHOW
00:20:41.708 --> 00:20:43.175
ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
00:20:43.243 --> 00:20:46.311
WELL, I'M WAITING FOR IT
TO GO OFF.
00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:49.381
WELL, YOU HAVE TO WAIT
FOR NATURE,
00:20:49.449 --> 00:20:52.518
BECAUSE I CAN'T TURN IT ON
FOR YOU.
00:20:52.585 --> 00:20:54.486
NOW, WHAT ARE WE DOING
OVER HERE?
00:20:54.554 --> 00:20:56.789
THE LITTLE GUY WANTS
TO CATCH SOME FISH.
00:20:56.856 --> 00:20:59.725
IT'S SURPRISING THAT THERE
ARE FISH IN HERE, ISN'T IT?
00:20:59.793 --> 00:21:01.093
YEAH, YOU'D THINK --
00:21:01.161 --> 00:21:02.828
ESPECIALLY
THE HOTTER THE WATER,
00:21:02.896 --> 00:21:05.831
YOU'D THINK THE LESS OXYGEN
THERE'S GONNA BE IN THE WATER.
00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:07.299
I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY HOT,
00:21:07.367 --> 00:21:09.868
BUT TO TOUCH IT,
IT'S NOT AS HOT AS YOU'D THINK.
00:21:09.936 --> 00:21:11.236
YEAH, YEAH.
00:21:11.304 --> 00:21:12.871
WHAT MADE YOU COME
TO OLD FAITHFUL TODAY?
00:21:12.939 --> 00:21:16.608
WELL, WE WERE JUST CAMPING,
JUST TAKING A VACATION,
00:21:16.676 --> 00:21:19.945
AND SAW THE SIGN,
DECIDED TO MAKE THE TURN.
00:21:20.013 --> 00:21:22.748
WHAT DID YOU THINK
IT WAS GONNA BE?
00:21:22.816 --> 00:21:25.217
OLD FAITHFUL.
JUST WHAT IT IS.
00:21:25.285 --> 00:21:27.319
WELL, WE HAVEN'T
SEEN IT YET.
00:21:27.387 --> 00:21:29.755
WELL, WE SAW A LITTLE BURP.
00:21:29.823 --> 00:21:30.923
WE'LL WAIT.
00:21:30.990 --> 00:21:32.858
HOW LONG ARE YOU WILLING
TO WAIT?
00:21:32.926 --> 00:21:36.028
UH, TILL WE GET HUNGRY.
00:21:36.096 --> 00:21:37.930
[ LAUGHING ]
00:21:37.997 --> 00:21:40.099
MAYBE AN HOUR.
00:21:40.166 --> 00:21:42.601
WE'RE NOT THAT FAITHFUL.
00:21:42.669 --> 00:21:45.971
NOW, HERE'S A COUPLE OVER HERE
WHO LOOK --
00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:48.007
I DON'T WANT TO SAY BORED.
00:21:48.074 --> 00:21:49.842
WHAT WORD SHOULD I USE?
00:21:49.909 --> 00:21:51.777
WE'RE JUST ANTICIPATING.
00:21:51.845 --> 00:21:54.480
WE DID SEE IT ONCE TODAY
SO FAR,
00:21:54.547 --> 00:21:56.315
AND IT WAS REALLY NICE.
00:21:56.383 --> 00:21:58.650
SO YOU'VE SEEN IT?
WHAT DOES IT DO?
00:21:58.718 --> 00:22:01.854
JUST SHOOTS UP IN THE AIR,
JUST LIKE THE LADY SAID.
00:22:01.921 --> 00:22:03.856
DOES IT STAY UP
AS LONG AS...
00:22:03.923 --> 00:22:06.358
3 MINUTES OR SO,
50 FEET OR SO.
00:22:06.426 --> 00:22:10.729
AND IT REALLY LASTED A WHILE,
BUT WE'VE SEEN THREE DUDS ALSO.
00:22:10.797 --> 00:22:13.098
WHAT DO YOU MEAN,
THREE DUDS?
00:22:13.166 --> 00:22:15.534
WELL, IT JUST BURPED
A LITTLE.
00:22:15.602 --> 00:22:18.137
WE KEEP HEARING
THIS WORD "BURP."
00:22:18.204 --> 00:22:20.806
THIS IS NOT A WORD I THOUGHT
I WAS GONNA BE HEARING TODAY.
00:22:20.874 --> 00:22:22.274
FROM MY UNDERSTANDING,
00:22:22.342 --> 00:22:24.476
THERE'S BEEN TWO SMALL BURPS,
ONE LARGE BURP,
00:22:24.544 --> 00:22:27.479
AND ONE GOOD
WHAT-YOU-CAME-TO-SEE ERUPTION.
00:22:27.547 --> 00:22:30.683
WELL, I DON'T WANT TO GIVE
THE PLACE A BAD NAME.
00:22:30.750 --> 00:22:32.217
WE HAVE IT ON FILM.
00:22:32.285 --> 00:22:34.720
I MEAN,
WE ACTUALLY TAPED IT --
00:22:34.788 --> 00:22:38.157
THE ERUPTION THAT LASTED
ABOUT THREE MINUTES.
00:22:38.224 --> 00:22:40.359
WE MAY BE BORROWING
YOUR TAPE.
00:22:40.427 --> 00:22:42.528
THAT'S GREAT.
NO PROBLEM.
00:22:42.595 --> 00:22:45.597
WE'LL SEND IT BACK TO YOU,
BUT THIS MAY BE THE ONLY ONE.
00:22:45.665 --> 00:22:48.834
AND LOOK OVER HERE, LOUIE,
THERE'S A WHOLE CROWD OF PEOPLE.
00:22:48.902 --> 00:22:51.003
EVERYBODY JUST KIND OF
STANDING HERE,
00:22:51.071 --> 00:22:53.272
WAITING FOR SOMETHING
MORE THAN A BURP.
00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:55.874
JUST LIKE THE LADY SAID,
YOU CAN'T RUSH NATURE.
00:22:55.942 --> 00:22:58.077
IF IT'S GONNA DO IT,
IT'S GONNA DO IT.
00:22:58.144 --> 00:22:59.611
YOU ALL ARE FROM...
00:22:59.679 --> 00:23:02.715
[ Italian accent ]
FROM NORTH OF ITALY.
00:23:02.782 --> 00:23:03.949
FROM ITALY?
00:23:04.017 --> 00:23:06.251
NOW, YOU'RE HERE
TO SEE OLD FAITHFUL.
00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.486
YES.
00:23:07.554 --> 00:23:09.888
WHAT DO YOU THINK
ABOUT IT?
00:23:09.956 --> 00:23:13.225
WE NEVER SEEN
THIS NATURAL PHENOMENON.
00:23:13.293 --> 00:23:16.228
IN ITALY,
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE.
00:23:16.296 --> 00:23:17.796
OH! OH!
00:23:17.864 --> 00:23:21.400
OH, GOSH!
00:23:21.468 --> 00:23:22.935
OH, THERE IT GOES.
00:23:23.003 --> 00:23:25.938
IT JUST KIND OF
CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.
00:23:26.006 --> 00:23:28.807
OH, WOW.
00:23:38.585 --> 00:23:42.121
OH, WOW.
00:23:44.691 --> 00:23:46.325
OLGA, COME HERE A MINUTE.
00:23:46.393 --> 00:23:48.794
Kolbek:
THAT WAS WORTH WAITING FOR.
00:23:48.862 --> 00:23:52.131
IT JUST CAME UP --
IT JUST CAME UP OUT OF NOWHERE.
00:23:52.198 --> 00:23:54.266
I KNOW. I KNOW.
IT DOES THAT.
00:23:54.334 --> 00:23:55.934
YOU NEVER KNOW FOR SURE.
00:23:56.002 --> 00:23:58.971
YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR NATURE
TO DO ITS BEST.
00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:02.741
LET'S GO OVER HERE, LOUIE,
AND GET RIGHT UP CLOSE TO IT.
00:24:02.809 --> 00:24:04.176
OH, THIS IS GREAT.
00:24:04.244 --> 00:24:06.912
NOW, THAT'S YOUR BIG ERUPTION
RIGHT NOW.
00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:08.447
THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD ONE?
00:24:08.515 --> 00:24:10.749
YEAH, THAT'S PRETTY GOOD --
AVERAGE.
00:24:10.817 --> 00:24:12.985
YOU COME HERE
EARLY IN THE MORNING,
00:24:13.053 --> 00:24:15.421
LIKE AROUND 5:00 OR 6:00
IN THE MORNING --
00:24:15.488 --> 00:24:17.890
WHEN IT'S COLD OUT
AND THAT WATER'S HOT,
00:24:17.957 --> 00:24:19.925
THAT WILL GO WAY UP
IN THE SKY.
00:24:19.993 --> 00:24:21.727
I, ONE TIME,
HAD A COUPLE HERE
00:24:21.795 --> 00:24:24.129
WITH A LITTLE CHILD
ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD
00:24:24.197 --> 00:24:26.732
THAT CAME HERE AROUND 6:00
IN THE EVENING.
00:24:26.800 --> 00:24:29.168
THEY SAID,
"WE WANT TO SEE THE GEYSER.
00:24:29.235 --> 00:24:31.570
WE'RE GONNA GO TO MEXICO
TONIGHT YET."
00:24:31.638 --> 00:24:33.072
I SAID, "WE'RE CLOSED."
00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:34.873
"OH, CAN'T WE PLEASE SEE IT?"
00:24:34.941 --> 00:24:37.643
SO I CAME OUT HERE,
AND I LET THEM SEE IT.
00:24:37.711 --> 00:24:39.845
IT MUST HAVE BEEN
AROUND OCTOBER.
00:24:39.913 --> 00:24:41.613
AS WE WAITED FOR THE GEYSER,
00:24:41.681 --> 00:24:43.949
IT GOT DARK
AND THE STARS CAME OUT.
00:24:44.017 --> 00:24:45.484
THAT GEYSER ERUPTED,
00:24:45.552 --> 00:24:47.953
AND DO YOU KNOW
WHAT THE LITTLE GIRL SAID?
00:24:48.021 --> 00:24:50.756
"LOOK, MOM, THE GEYSER'S
WASHING THE STARS."
00:24:50.824 --> 00:24:52.558
IT'S GREAT.
IT'S GREAT.
00:24:52.625 --> 00:24:54.393
NATURE PUTS ON A GOOD SHOW.
00:24:54.461 --> 00:24:58.063
Howser: SO IT MUST MAKE YOU
FEEL AWFULLY NICE
00:24:58.131 --> 00:25:01.100
WHEN YOU STAND HERE
WITH YOUR GUESTS
00:25:01.167 --> 00:25:03.168
AND OLD FAITHFUL GOES OFF
00:25:03.236 --> 00:25:06.071
AND YOU HEAR
EVERYBODY'S REACTION.
00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:08.507
THEY ALL GO,
"OOH, AAH, OH, AH.
00:25:08.575 --> 00:25:10.009
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT."
00:25:10.076 --> 00:25:13.345
THAT'S WHY I DON'T LIKE
TO SEE THEM EVER LEAVE
00:25:13.413 --> 00:25:14.980
AND NOT GET TO SEE IT.
00:25:15.048 --> 00:25:18.183
THEY MIGHT SEE JUST A LITTLE ONE
THAT GOES 3 FEET HIGH,
00:25:18.251 --> 00:25:19.551
AND THEY'LL WALK AWAY.
00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:21.787
THEY HAVEN'T SEEN
THE MAIN ERUPTION.
00:25:21.855 --> 00:25:23.355
THAT'S JUST A LITTLE BURP.
00:25:23.423 --> 00:25:24.656
THAT DISTURBS ME.
00:25:24.724 --> 00:25:26.658
I WANT THEM TO SEE IT
AND ENJOY IT.
00:25:26.726 --> 00:25:30.162
WELL, WE STAYED AND WE SAW
A LOT MORE THAN A BURP.
00:25:30.230 --> 00:25:31.630
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
00:25:31.698 --> 00:25:35.067
THIS HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY
WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.
00:25:35.135 --> 00:25:37.603
WELL, YOU COME BACK AGAIN
ANYTIME.
00:25:37.671 --> 00:25:39.438
CALIFORNIA'S OLD FAITHFUL.
00:25:39.506 --> 00:25:41.140
RIGHT.
00:25:41.207 --> 00:25:45.544
WELL, AS WE PREPARE TO LEAVE
NAPA COUNTY AND HEAD BACK HOME,
00:25:45.612 --> 00:25:48.514
WE HAVE INDEED SEEN
TWO FINE EXAMPLES
00:25:48.581 --> 00:25:52.351
OF HISTORIC WATER UNDER PRESSURE
HERE IN OUR STATE.
00:25:52.419 --> 00:25:54.119
FIRST THE OLD MALAKOFF DIGGINS
00:25:54.187 --> 00:25:56.588
AND THEN OLD FAITHFUL,
THE GEYSER HERE,
00:25:56.656 --> 00:25:59.124
WHICH, RIGHT NOW, IT'S IN
ANOTHER ONE OF ITS DOWN PERIODS.